In truth, Ma Hongjun was not the only one surprised.
Even Dugu Bo, standing nearby, was somewhat puzzled.
Why had the woman before them said she sensed a familiar aura from him?
Then, Dugu Bo looked at Ma Hongjun.
Surely he knew the answer.
"Big Sister Irene, did you sense Big Sister Erza's aura?" Ma Hongjun asked with a smile.
Irene froze.
Dugu Bo froze as well.
"You mean Erza?" Irene asked again.
Ma Hongjun nodded.
Upon receiving confirmation, Irene fell silent.
Clearly, Ma Hongjun's answer had greatly surprised her.
"How did she get here?" Irene asked again.
Faced with Irene's question,
Ma Hongjun did not hide anything.
"I summoned her."
Dugu Bo, standing nearby, heard Ma Hongjun's words as well.
He immediately understood.
The familiar aura the woman had mentioned
probably belonged to the woman who had fought him earlier.
He just did not know what relationship the woman before him had with that woman.
Judging solely from this woman's reaction,
their relationship was probably far from simple.
However, he soon gave a bitter smile.
Speaking of that woman,
his wounds were still throbbing faintly.
After hearing Ma Hongjun's words,
Irene spoke again. "Did you tell her about my existence?"
As she said this,
a rare trace of emotion entered Irene's voice.
Ma Hongjun naturally noticed it.
Clearly,
Irene still cared deeply about Erza.
But that was perfectly normal.
After all,
Erza was Irene's daughter.
How could she not care?
"No," Ma Hongjun said directly.
Upon hearing Ma Hongjun's answer,
Irene felt somewhat disappointed.
But perhaps that was for the best.
Seeing Irene's expression,
Ma Hongjin spoke again. "But I told her that her mother loves her."
Ma Hongjun's words stunned Irene once more.
Then, she smiled.
But another question quickly arose.
Because if Ma Hongjun had said that,